Tornadoes hit Cotabato towns

KIDAPAWAN CITY - At least P2 million worth of banana trees were damaged when a tornado hit the hinterland here on Monday, a banana plantation owner said.

 

Daniel Curambao, a banana plantation owner, said the twister caused devastation on his farm in Sitio Calaocan, Barangay Paco in Kidapawan City shortly before 7 p.m. on Monday.

 

Curambao said 10,000 banana trees planted in his seven-hectare land were severely damaged.

 

Only five percent of his banana trees were left standing after the incident, he said.

 

“Those hit by wind bowed down," Curambao said, adding the fruits were damaged.

Kabacan and Mlang

 

In nearby Kabacan town, 27 houses were also damaged when a tornado hit the village of Magatos last week.

 

Mayor Herlo Guzman immediately gave assistance to the affected families by providing the materials to be used in rebuilding their damaged houses.

 

In Mlang, 15 houses were also damaged including 11 school buildings and a grandstand of Mlang Pilot Elementary School due to strong winds that hit Barangay Poblacion and Buayan on Thursday last week.

 

Banana plantations were also severely hit when a whirlwind devastated the place.

 

“We gave assistance to the affected families so that they can immediately repair the damage incurred in their respective houses,” Mayor Joselito Pinol said.

 

In Alamada town, a twister also damaged 30 houses in a remote village over the weekend, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) reported. —KG, GMA News